St Jacques Vikings are back and busy preparing for life in Counties Two following promotion last season. We step up those preparations on Saturday, with a pre-season contest against higher level opposition at Footes Lane.

Beccehamian rugby club are the visitors, they compete in Counties One Kent and will pose a much needed test for the Vikings ahead of the new campaign.

Whilst the black-and-yellows were securing the Counties Three Hampshire title last season, Beccehamians narrowly missed out on promotion, finishing third. Other than tackling Jersey in the Fallaize Cup last season, this looks to be one of the Vikings toughest fixtures in recent years.

We have welcomed several new players into the squad over pre-season, and those available will all be included this weekend as we look to provide game time to everyone ahead of the season opener in two weeks.

Ray Smart has named a squad of 34 players, which includes 7 new faces. Two of those new players are the recently arrived Guernsey Raiders props JP Phelan and Jamie Dunn, who will continue their introduction to island life with a run out in Vikings colours.

Smart is keen to see his players continue to build on the work they have been doing in training this weekend.

He said: ‘We started pre-season slightly later this year because of the Island Games, but I’ve been really pleased with the application of the players. They’ve worked really hard, and it has been great to see quite a few faces down at training.’

‘This weekend our main focus is to adapt to the new tackle laws, whilst also giving everyone time to understand our systems and how we want to play. We’ve had some really good sessions these past few weeks, so hopefully the boys can take that out onto the field this weekend.’

‘The result this weekend is not important. Our focus is just on learning exactly where we are at currently, before we start our league matches in two weeks.’ Added Smart.

The match is being played on the club pitch at Footes Lane, kick-off is 12pm.